We do have to give the benefit of the doubt until and unless some further evidences can be presented that the paddy industry can no longer be improved further if BERNAS is no longer doing the government job

I do believe competency and ‘jasa’ are not to be weighed on the smale scale since it serve different objective n deliver different impact

" Lowering the price of rice involves three parties – Bernas, consumers and rice growers – and the three interlocking issues: The monopoly to import rice, the controlled price of white rice in Malaysia and the financial viability of growing rice in this country.

In a recent newspaper interview, Bernas' chief executive officer Ismail Mohamed Yusoff made three points. First, about 60% of rice consumed in this country is produced by local farmers. Second, the price of locally-produced rice is fixed by the government. Third, imported rice, which accounts for 30% of Malaysia's consumption, cannot be sold at a price lower than the local variety.

Allowing other companies to import rice won't reduce the local price of rice because the imported grain must be sold at the same price or higher than the local variety. This suggests the need to cut the controlled price of locally-grown rice. However, a lower price could mean more financial hardship for local rice growers.

PH's decision to terminate Bernas' monopoly may be a response to a memorandum submitted last October to the then Najib administration by Padi Rescue, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) representing farmers, rice millers and warehouse owners. Alleging "unfair practices," the NGO proposed ending Bernas' role in overseeing the supply of rice, including its monopoly on rice imports.

If the price of local rice remains fixed while the international price of the grain fluctuates, this could have two possible outcomes.

If the global price of rice falls below that of the local variety, the importer makes windfall profits.

However, a higher international price will either compel the importer to absorb the price differential or stop importing rice. In the latter event, there could be a significant shortfall of rice. "